Recreating outside, sometimes you need more than water to stay hydrated and energized. I drank all manner of electrolyte mixes over the years, and find most either taste chalky, syrupy, or too salty. When GU came out with their brand new GU Brew, I was keen to give it a taste. So is GU Brew everything I’d hoped for in an endurance drink mix? First the deets:
GU Brew ingredients include:
- Maltodextrin
- Fructose
- Sodium Citrate
- Citric Acid
- Natural Flavor
- Potassium Citrate
- Turmeric (As Color).
- 70 calories per serving
- 9 grams of sugar
- 250 mg of sodium
- 30 mg of potassium
- 18 grams of carbohydrates.
According to the company, GU Brew is “about electrolytes first, then carbohydrates.” While carbs are important for endurance they use a 50:50 ratio of fructose (simple) and maltodextrin (complex) carbs because they say carbs in this combination increases the amount of energy available to muscles.
GU suggests users drink GU Brew before, during and after exercise. I took them up on that suggestion on mountain bikes rides and long hikes in the Wasatch. Before heading out, I would drink around 16 ounces to pre hydrate. I would keep a bottle of GU Brew in my pack for stops during a ride or hike, to supplement my water intake via a hydration reservoir. At the end of the workout, I would have a bottle of GU Brew in my car to drink afterwards for recovery.
So, did it work? These things are very hard to quantify on an anecdotal level. If I were to do the exact same workout drinking only water, would I feel a difference? Perhaps, but that would be impossible to do without exercising in a lab with identical environmental factors. That being said, while riding or hiking, taking a drink of GU Brew did have a noticeable effect on my energy level, as the sugars increased my blood sugar level, which helped keep sustained energy through a prolonged climb.
The thing I can qualify is that GU Brew tastes really good… far better than most electrolyte drinks that are too syrupy or chalky. GU Brew has a very light texture, and the flavor is never overpowering. It’s easy to drink and doesn’t leave a nasty aftertaste like sport drink bought at the local convenience store.
GU Brew comes in 6 flavors: Lemon Tea, Tastefully Nude, Watermelon, Blueberry Pomegranate, Orange and Lemon Lime. I tried 4 of the 6 samples and Blueberry Pomegranate is my favorite. I didn’t get to try Orange or Tastefully Nude (which I assume means there is no flavor at all, just electrolytes.)
GU Brew is available in 24 single-serve stick packs for $32.40 and 24-serving canisters for $18.00.
The Good: Tastes great, not sugary, syrupy, salty or chalky. Noticeable energy boost when consumed during sustained exercise.
The Bad: A bit pricey.
Final Word: GU Brew is now my go-to electrolyte drink mix for outdoor fun. With light flavor, no aftertaste, and the convenience of single-serve packs, there no excuse not to rehydrate properly out on the trail.
For more information, or to purchase, check out the GU online store.